There was a pregame show on tonight, but we opted not to watch (actually, Schnookie had a total meltdown and Pookie humored her by changing the channel) because Stan Fischler is just such an affront. That’s right, MSG – we turned off a Devils pregame show to watch the Panthers because we hate Stan Fischler so much. It’s a really sound programming choice, we think, for MSG to drive viewers away by having Stan on the pregame broadcast. (Of course, that’s probably exactly why he has this job. MSG is trying to depress Devils ratings to the point where they can claim they don’t have sufficient viewership to keep airing the games.)
Of course, who needs a pregame this time of year? Days are getting longer, and with that comes the traditional March Swoon for the Devils. We don’t need anyone in the pregame or intro to tell us the Devils are going to lose 3-1 tonight, having gotten no more than 18 shots, with the New Jersey goal coming off a lucky bounce and being credited to Gio.
FIRST PERIOD
19:15 Chico tells us about how Clarkson and Madden are playing in front of a lot of family here in their hometown, and adds that Clarkson’s baby nephew Liam is a “good luck charm” (having been in the house when the Devils beat Ottawa). Well, now we’ll know who to blame when the Leafs win.
18:08 After giving up a great scoring chance, the Devils manage a rush the other way and Zach gets an easily stopped shot that is apparently his first shot in a couple games. Good to know he’s working hard.
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